Council Adopted King William Streetscape Master Plan
Historically, King William has enjoyed a distinct economic role. The heritage structures along the street provide Downtown with a historic urban fabric as well as a comfortable and intimate atmosphere for pedestrians.
The City actively encourages adaptive re-use and loft conversions of existing structures where small offices, live / work arrangements, warehouse conversions, and other new technology enterprises can evolve. Our design concept takes clues from the existing fabric and the heritage style lighting, paving patterns and street furniture are selected to enhance this historic atmosphere.
Streetscape Design Concepts
- Visual linkage through the use of lighting element, banners, paving patterns, to portray a vibrant downtown
- Generous sidewalk, special paving, extensive planting
- Ground level pedestrian access
- Windows and entrances on street level
- Servicing from rear of building when possible
- Awning and signage encouraged respecting architectural integrity of the existing fabric
Design Recommendations from the Downtown Secondary Plans
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King William Street is identified as one of the key dining and entertainment areas in Downtown Hamilton. Nearby public facilities such as the Hamilton Public Library, the Farmers’ Market and Jackson Square, as well as the proximity of two local theatres (the Tivoli Theatre and the Theatre Aquarius) have made King William Street a distinct destination as an entertainment district. |
With future in-fill development, there will be new and evolving retail patterns. With our proposed streetscape improvement designs, we hope to spur private investments for entertainment-related commercial activities, as well as local commerce for the Downtown residents.
We encourage ground level compact commercial facades to be oriented towards the pedestrians; that is, having windows and doors towards the street. As part of the streetscape concept, this "eye on the street" promotes a vibrant and pedestrian friendly street life that thrives within a mixed-use neighbourhood.
Cultural Heritage
Conservation of the existing heritage character of King William Street is recognized as a priority in the Downtown Secondary Plans. The diversity of heritage buildings and our new streetscape design initiatives will play a vital role in achieving the vision of King William Street as a major theatre, restaurant and entertainment district.
King William Street was named in 1833 for the reigning monarch King William IV (1765-1837) when Hamilton was incorporated as a Police Village. At the turn of the twentieth century King William Street between James and John had developed into a narrow enclosed streetscape of two- to three-storey buildings, constructed of stone, brick or wood frame.
At James Street the Lister Chambers anchored the corner of King William Street and a variety of commercial buildings including restaurants, hotels, billiards hall, milliners, warehouses, tailors, and print shops lined the street. The large industrial complex of the Hamilton Distillery Co. Ltd. anchored the King William and Wellington Street corner.
Today it still comprises an eclectic mix of structures, architectural styles, building materials, uses and adaptive re-uses that reflect a rich 170-year history of growth and development.
The Lister Block : A Conservation Challenge
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The imposing six-storey retail / office building known as the Lister Block has been a prominent downtown landmark since its construction in 1923. Its height, corner location, large double street frontage, and architectural design have all contributed to a dominant character. As Hamilton’s oldest surviving major retail / office complex with a large interior arcade, the Lister Block also ranks among the city’s best surviving examples of the decorative use of terra cotta. |
This building is one of the distinctive buildings designed by the local architectural firm of Bernard Prack & Co. who also designed the tall Gothic-inspired 1929 Pigott building. With its solid steel framed construction the Lister Block is a prime candidate for adaptive re-use. The resurrection of this significant building will promise a vibrant street life at the corner of King William and James.
The Junction Café and Lounge (1856) : Conservation Success
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The Junction Café and Lounge, located at 197-199 King William Street was constructed in 1856 as a modest two-family dwelling.
With a grant of $31,000 from the City’s Core Heritage 2000 Program a number of façade improvements were undertaken. The result is a thriving establishment which caters to jazz lovers and theatre goers before and after a performance at the nearby Theatre Aquarius. |
Urban Braille System : Barrier Free Designs
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Improvements on our streetscape also raise the standard of accessibility for the community. The Urban Braille, developed by the City of Hamilton, is a system of markings pressed on the concrete sidewalk as a way-finding and safety aid for visually and physically impaired pedestrians. This system of markings indicates directional changes, side walk boundaries, as well as providing minimum clearances for wheelchair access on the street. |